Basic Criminal Law

Book excerpt: Basic Criminal Law, Third Edition offers a comprehensive, well-organized approach to understanding key legal concepts and to developing the real-world skills students will as paralegals or in other criminal justice roles. Thoroughly updated for the latest trends, it guides students through the history of criminal law, the crimes themselves, and specific legal procedures. To promote interest, it presents crimes first and then procedures, and highlights current events and case law throughout. This edition's new features include: completely revamped end-of-chapter material, including a comprehensive Building Your Professional Skills section; a new chapter on sex crimes; more coverage of evidence, technology, and appeals; more charts and diagrams; new state-specific examples, and updated case studies throughout.